Leveling apparatus



L. A. ERICKSON LEVELING APPARATUS Filed June 5, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet lHIS ATTQRNEY Oct. 14, 1930.

L. A. lz-:RlcKsoN LEVLING APPARATUS Filed June 5, 1929 4 Sheets-Shet 2f/ NIS ATTORNEY b m U A N U n LL A a... 4 2

Oct. 14, 1930. l.. A. ERICKSON LEVELING APPARATUS Filed June 5, 1929 4Sheets-Sheet 3 HIS ATTORNEY o m u n w u n rn L.. A.' ERICKSON oct.14,1930.

LEVELING APPARATUS Fileddune 5, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 W. I BY ,W C

n /WJ AT1" ORNEY Patented Oct. 14, 1930 UNITED' STATES PATENT OFFICELOUIS A. ERICKSON, OF WEST MCHENRY, ILLINOIS LEVELING APPARATUSApplication filed June 5, 1929.

rIhis invention relates to certain novel improvements in levelingapparatus and more particularly to leveling apparatus that may be usedin connection with aircrafts and other similar mechanisms and has forits principal object the provision of an improved construction of thischaracter which will be efiicient and positive in use and economical inmanufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the abovedescribed character which will be arranged in a manner such thatoperation thereof will -beautomatic.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the above'described character in a manner such that it will operate bothlongitudinally and transversely.

A still further object of the invention is to arrange the apparatus insuch a manner that it may be manually operated and to arrange themechanisms so that the automatic operation may be rendered inoperativewhen the manual control is employed.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus ofthe above described character which will embody portions that may beoperated simultaneously in opposite directions and to arrange theapparatus so that these mechanisms may be operated simultaneously in thesame direction.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel coinbination and arrangement ofparts to be hereinafter 'described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings, showing the preferred form of construction and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view depicting a' preferred form ofconstruction for my invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device as illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line4.-4: on Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view of the means employed to operate theautomatic leveling portions of my device;

Serial N0. 368,680.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 6 6 on Fig.5;

l Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 7-7 on Fig.3;

Fig. 8 is a detail view showing the side elevation of the longitudinalautomatic leveling apparatus;

Fig. 9 is a front view of the device 'depicted in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view depicting the electrical connectionsemployed in the automatic leveling apparatus;

Fig. 11 is a front elevational view of the transverse levelingapparatus;

Fig. 12 is a sectional detail view taken substantially on the line 12-12on Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a side elevational view of the apparatus depicted in Fig. 11

Fig. 111 is a side elevational view showing the arrangement employed formanually op erating the mechanisms depicted in Figs. 8 and 9;

Fig. 15 is a detail view taken substantially on the line 15-15 on Fig.14; and

Fig. 16 is a detail view taken substantially on the lin'e 1616 on Fig.13.

In the accompanying drawing I have illustrated my invention inassociation with an aircraft but it is to be understood that theapparatus might be associated with other mechanisms such as for exampleboats or various forms including submarines. Applying the invention tosuch apparatus certain changes might be necessitated but these changes.will be readily apparent to anyone skilled in the art and are,therefore, believed to be within the purview of my invention.

In the drawings 10 generically indicates the main body of the aircraftwith which my invention is associated. In the intermediate portions ofthe body 10L I intend to arrange suitable passenger or freight carryingcompartments but have not depicted these compartments in detail as anydesired arrangement thereof may be made in accordance with therequirements to be met in the use of the craft with which my inventionis associated. I have, however, shown a plurality of port holes 11 whichmay be associated with the device in the portion thereof to be devotedto these compartments, As best illustrated in Fig. 3 an upper portion 12is provided in the main body 1() at the forward end thereof and thisupper portion is preferably arranged from horizontal alignment from themajor portion of the main body 10 and a suitable curved configurationsuch as that indicated by 13 suitably interconnects this portion 12 withthe main body 10. In the portion 12 and in the section of the main body10 joining this portion 12 to the main portion of the body 10 I arrangethe control apparatus as well as a portion which may be devoted to theoperator of the craft. This portion of the apparatus will be knownhereinafter as the control compartment 14. I provide in the body 10suitable port holes such as 15 so as to afford the operator of thedevice an arrangement by which he will be enabled to view the course tobe taken by the apparatus. Suitable Wheel structures such as thoseindicated by 16 and 17 are arranged below the main body 10 at suitablepoints so as to facilitate the supporting and movement thereof over thesurface of the earth and I preferably arrange the body 10 so that itwill be substantially water tight in order that the device may be landedin Water.

At the side of the body 10 I arrange wing structures 18 which aresupported in a manner to be set forth presently. Arranged above the mainbody 10 are co-operating wing structures 19 and 20 which are supportedon the housings 21 in a manner to be set forth presently. These wingstructures co-operate to provide the lifting surface for the craft andalso function to provide the leveling action to be described. Arrangedat the rear end of the body 10 is the usual rudder structure genericallyindicated by 22 and a suitable elevator structure 23 is also providedadjacent this4 rudder 22 and these mechanisms are operated in a. mannerto be set forth hereinafter.

The housings 21 extend upwardly from the Amain body 10 at an acute anglethereto. As best illustrated in Fig. 4 a shaft 24 is supported in theupper ends of aligned housings 21. Intermediate the housings 21 a bracerod 25 is arranged which interconnects the shafts 24 in the varioushousings 21 so as to reenforce the same. Each of the co-operating wings19 and 2O are rotatably fixed on the shaft 24. As best illustrated inFig. 4 a crank arm 26 is fixed to cross braces 27 in the wing structure20 and a link 28 extends from this crank arm 26 through the housing 21.A similar arrangement is provided in the wing 19 and when the links 28are motivated in the manner to be set forth hereinafter it is apparentthat the co-operating wings 19 and 2O may be moved about the shaft 24.

Extending out from the main body 10` are shafts 29 and 30 and the wings18 are pivotally mounted on these shafts 29 and 30. A

cross brace 31 is arranged in the wings 18 and a crank arm 32 is fixedthereto. A link 33 is fixed to the crank arm 32 and the opposite endthereof is connected to members to be set forth hereinafter. A similararrangement is provided in connection with the Wing 18 and by motivatingthe links 33 the wings 18 may be angled relative to the hori- Zontal.

As best illustrated in Fig. 3 in each of the housings 21 a bell crank 34is pivotally mounted and the adjacent end of each of the links 28 isconnected to one of the arms of these bell cranks. A rod 36 extendsthrough the various housings 21 and each of the other arms of the bellcranks are connected to this rod 35 and it is to be understood that sucha rod 35 extends on each side of the body 10 as best illustrated in Fig.4. @ther bell cranks such as 36 are arranged in the housings 21 and thelinks 33 are connected to one of the arms of these bell cranks. Rods 37extend through the various housings 21 and the other of the arms of thebell cranks 36 are pivotally connected to these rods 37. It is manifestthat if movement be imparted to the rods 35 and 36 simultaneously and inthe same direction the co-operating wings 19 and 2O will be pivotedabout the shaft 24 in the same direction. It is also manifest that ifmovement be imparted to the rods 35 simultaneously in oppositedirections the wings 19 and 2O will be pivoted about the shaft 24 inopposite directions. It is also apparent that when movement is impartedto the rods 37 movement will be imparted to the Wings 18 to pivot thesewings about the shafts 29 and 30. The means for imparting movementto therods 35 and 37 will now be described.

As best illustrated in Fig. 3 a housing 38 is supported from the portion12 in the compartment 14. This housing is illustrated in detail in Figs.5 and 6 and includes an upper wall 39 in which a suitable socket joint40 is arranged at the mid-portion thereof. A ball 41 is mounted in thesocket 40 and a pendulum rod 42 depends from this ball and has a weight43 in the lower end thereof. Mounted adjacent the lower end of thehousing 34 are four plates 44, 45, 46, and 47 These plates are disposedso that when the pendulum rod 42 is set in motion the ball 43 willengage one of the plates dependent upon the direction of movement andthis arrangement is utilized in the manner to be set forth presently. Asuitable electric connector such as that indicated by 48 extends througheach of the side walls of the housing 39 and these connectors 48 areelectrically connected to each of the plates 44, 45, 46, and 47. Anelectrical connector 49 is provided on the socket 40 for a purpose to beset forth presently.

By referring to Fig. 10 it may be seen that a suitable source ofelectric current such as the battery 50 and a conductor 51 extends be-HLHUHMU i luu will attract the armature tween one terminal of thisbattery and the connector 49. Co-operating pairs of electromagnetsindicated by 52 and 53, and 54 and 55 are provided. An armature 56 isarranged intermediate the electro-magnets 52 and 53 and equalizedsprings57 and 58 serve to normally hold this armature 56 in a positionintermediate the electro-magnets 52 and 53. An armature 59 is arrangedintermediate the electro-magnets 54 and 55 and equalized springs 60 and61 serve to hold this armature 59 in neutral intermediate positionbetween the electro-magnets 54 and 55. A conductor 62 extends betweenthe other terminal of the battery 50 and a connecting point 63. Aconductor 64 extends between the connecting point 63 and one terminal ofthe electromagnet 52. A conductor 65 extends between the connectingpoint 63 and one terminal of the winding of the electro-magnet 53. lAconductor 66 extends between the connecting point 63 and one terminal ofthe winding of the electro-magnet 54. A conductor 67 extends between theconnecting point 63 and one terminal of the winding of the electromagnet55. A conductor 68 extends between the other terminal of the winding ofthe electro-magnet 55 and the plate 44. A conductor 69 extends betweenthe plate 46 and the other terminal of the winding of the electro-magnet54. A conductor 70 extends between theeplate 45 and the other terminalof the winding of the electro-magnet 52. A conductor 71 extends betweenthe plate 47 and the other terminal of the winding of the electro-magnet53.

In operation if the body 10 tilts in one direction as for example in thedirection of the plate 44 the rod 42 will pivot in this direction byreason of the ball and socket connection including the ball 41 and thesocket 40 and the ball 43 will engage the plate 44 which will close anelectric circuit to the electromagnet 55 in the following manner.Current will flow from the battery 50 through the conductor 51,connection 49, to the ball 41, rod 42, to ball 43, plate 44, through theconnector 48 on said plate, to the conductor 68, through the winding ofthe electro-magnet 55, conductor 67, connecting point 63,'conductor 62,to the battery 50. This energizing of the electro-magnet 55 by reason ofthe current flowing through the winding thereof 59 against the action ofthe spring 61 which will cause said armature 59 to pivot about thepivotal support 72 therefor and this action is utilized in a manner tobe set forth presently to set in operation my improved levelingarrangement which will again restore the body 10 to normal horizontalposition. As soon as the leveling apparatus is set in operation the body10 will start to right itself which will cause the ball 43 to move fromengagement with the plate 44 which will interrupt the circuit to thewinding of the electro-magnet 55 which will cause deenergizing thereofand, therefore, the spring 61 will be enabled to reposition the armature59 in the position shown in Fig. 10. Should the body 10` be tilted inthe opposite direction the ball 43 will engage the plate 46 and acircuit will be closed in a manner substantially similar to that setforth to the winding of the electromagnet 54 which will cause theattraction of the armature 59 against the action of the spring 60.Similarly should the body 10 tilt in a direction such that the ball 43is moved toward the plates 45 or 47 a circuit will be closed uponengagement of said ball with said plates to either the winding of theelectro-magnet 52 or the winding of the electromagnet 53 which willcause the attraction of the armature 56 by the deenergizedelectro-inagiiet against the action of either the spring 57 or thespring 58 and the armature 56 pivots about the pivotal support 73therefor when moved. This movement of the armatures 56 and 59 isutilized in a manner now to be set forth to close a circuit to themechanisms which operate my leveling apparatus.

In Figs. 3, 11, 12, and 13 I have depicted the arrangement employed forthe leveling of my device transversely. This apparatus which isgenerically indicated by 74 includes a frame 75 which comprises parallelarms 76 and 77 and arms 78 and 79 which extend ontwardly at right angleswith respect to the arms 76 and 77 respectively. At the juncture of thearms 76 and 78, and 77 and 79 a substantially circular bearing 80 isformed. On the frame 75 a ledge is provided on which a motor 81 isarranged. Interiorly of the ring bearing 80 is a ring shaped member 82which has formed on the inner periphery thereof on the upwardly disposedside a plurality of gear teeth 83. On the shaft 84 of the motor 81 is apinion 85 which meshes with the gear teeth 83 and when the motor 81 isset in operation in a manner to be set forth presently the ring shapedmember 82 is caused to move in the bearing 80.

Depending from the ring shaped member 82 opposite the gear teeth 83 isan arm 86. A substantially semi-circular rod member 87 is secured to theends of the arms 78 and 79 and depends below these arms. A bearing 88 issecured to the arm 86 and the rod member 87 is extended through thisbearing. Fixed on the rod 87 adjacent the ends thereof are collars 89and 90. A coil spring 91 is disposed around the rod member 87 betweenthe adjusting collar 89 and the bearing 88. A coil spring 92 is disposedaround the rod member 87 between the adjusting collar 9() and thebearing 88. The springs 91 and 92 are equalized in order that they willnoi-- mally act on the bearing 88 to hold the arm 86 in the neutralposition depicted in Fig. 11.

A cross brace 93 extends across the compartment 14 and two verticallydisposed bearings 94 and 95 are mounted on this cross brace 93. Rods 96and 97 are extended throughthese bearings 94 and 95 and the lower endsthereof are pivotally connected at diametrical points to the member 82as indicated at 98 and 99. `When the ring shaped member 82 is moved in amanner to be set forth about the bearing 80 one of the rods 96 or 97will be moved upwardly through the bearing supporting the same while theother of the rods will move downwardly through the bearing supportingthe other rod. A bell crank 100 is pivotally mounted as indicated at 101and includes an arm 102 that has a slot 103 ,provided in one endthereof. A pin 104 is fixed on the arm 96 and extends through the slot103. The bell crank 100 also includes an arm 105 to which one of therods 35 is pivotally connected as indicated at 106. A similar bell crankarrangement is associated with the arm 97 and is connected to the otherof the rods 35.

By referring again to the diagrammatic view Fig. 10 it may be seen thatcontacts 107 and 108 are arranged on one side of the armature 56 whilethe contacts 109 and 110 are arranged on the opposite side thereof. Thecontacts 108 and 109 are interconnected by a conductor 111. The contacts107 and 110 are connected by a conductor 112. A conductor 113 extendsbetween the conductor 111 and one terminal of the armature 114 of themotor 81. A conductor 115 extends between the conductor 112 and theother terminal of the armature 114. The current supplying leads whichare connected to a suitable source of electric current are indicated by116 and 117.

In the event the main body portion 10 tilts in a direction such that theball 43 moves into engagement with the plate 45 a circuit will he closedthrough the winding of the electromagnet 52 which will cause thearmature 56 to be attracted as has been set forth heretofore. Thisattraction of the armature 56 will move the Contact plates 118 and 119on said armature into engagementwith the contacts108 and 107respectively. A conductor 120 extends between one terminal of the fieldcoil 121 of the motor 81 and the conductor 117. A conductor 122 extendsbetween the other terminal of the field coil 121 and is electricallyconnected to the contact plate 118. A conductor 123 electricallyinterconnects the contact plate 119 and the conductor 116. Therefore,when the contacts 118 and 119 engage the contacts 107 and 108 a circuitwill be closed to the motor 81 which will cause operation of the motor81 in a direction to be set forth. This circuit is as follows: conductor117, conductor 120, l'ield coil 121, conductor 122, contact plate 118,contact 108, conductor 111, conductor 113, armature 114, conductor 115,conductor 112, contact 107,

contact plate 119, conductor 123, to conductor 116. This as stated willcause operation of the motor 81 in one direction and this is utilized ina manner which will be set forth presently.

Should the main body portion 10 tilt in a direction such that the ball43 will move into engagement with the contact plate 47 a circuit will beclosed in the manner set forth through the winding of the electro-magnet53 which will cause the armature 56 to be attracted by saidelectro-magnet 53 which will cause the contact plates 118 and 119 toengage the contacts 110 and 109 respectively. In this instance a circuitwill be closed to the motor 81 in the following manner: conductor 117,conductor 120, field coil 121, conductor 122, contact plate 118, contact110, conductor 115, armature 114, conductor 113, conductor 111, contact109, conductor plate 119, conductor 123, to conductor 116. Tt isapparent in this latter instance that the current travels through thearmature 114 in a direction opposite to the direction of travel thereofwhen the contacts 107 and 108 are engaged and this causes operation ofthe motor 81 in the opposite direction. This movement of the motor 81 isutilized in the following manner. Then the ball 43 engages the contactstrip 45 the motor 81 is set in operation in a manner such that thepinion 85 acts on the gear teeth 83 to move the ring 82 and the arm 86in a direction such that the arm 86 will move toward the left as thedevice is viewed in Fig. 11. This movement of the ring 82 will move thearm 97 upwardly and the arm 96 downwardly. This movement of these armsis transmitted through the bell cranks connected thereto to the rods 35.Therefore, the rod 35 which is connected to the bell cranks 34 which inturn are connected to the wings 19 will be moved in a direction suchthat the wings 19 will be moved into the an` gular inclination thereofdepicted in Fig. 3. At this same time the wings 20 will be pivotedthrough the action of the rod 35 connected thereto to move the wings 20so that they will be inclined to the horizontal in an amount equal tothe inclination of the wings 19 but in an opposite direction. If thedevice is associated with an aircraft as has been set forth it isapparent that the angular inclination of the wings 19 will be such thatthe air will act thereon in a direction so as to tend to tilt the body10 and in View of the fact that the wings 20 are tilted in the oppositedirection the air will act thereon to accent with action and, therefore,the device will be righted.

vWhen the ball 43 engages the contact strip 47 the motor 81 will beoperated in the opposite direction and this will cause the wings 19 tobe moved into a position substantially similar to that described asbeing occupied by the wings 20 while the wings 2O will move into aposition substantially similar to that described as being occupied bythe wings 19. Therefore, the air will act on these wings to againposition the body 10 in normal position. Itis, therefore, apparent thatthe device will function to right the craft when the same tiltstransversely. 1t is also manifest that at the time the ball 43disengages either the plate 45 or the plate 47 that the equalizedsprings 91 and 92 will act to reposition the arm 86 and the remainingportions of the device in the neutral position depicted in Fig. 11.

It is manifest that the motor 81 might be operated in a manner such thatthe arm 86 would be moved through too great a distance and in order toprevent this condition I arrange on the rods 76 and 77 switch structures124 and 125 which respectively include operating arms 126 and 127 thatare arranged to be engaged at a predetermined time by the arm 86. Theseswitch structures`124 and 125 are arranged in the circuit at any desiredpoint as for example that shown in Fig. 10.

1n order to level the device when it is tilted from a longitudinalhorizontal position the following mechanisms are provided which are vgenerically indicated by 128 and these mechanisms are illustrated indetail in Figs. 8 and 9. Brackets 129, 130, and 131 are provided forsupporting a rod 132 that has a rack 133 provided thereon atsubstantially the point illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9. A motor 134 issupported by the member to which the brackets 129, 130, and 131 aresecured. On the shaft 135 of the motor 134 a pinion 136 which mesheswith the rack 133 is provided. A collar 137 is adjustably mounted on therod 132 intermediate the brackets 129 andv130. A spring 138 is fittedaround the rod 132 between the bracket 129 and the collar 137 A spring139 is disposed around the shaft 132 between the bracket 130 andthecollar 137. The springs 138 and 139 are arranged so that they areequalized in order that they will act on the collar 137 to normally holdthe rod 132 in the neutral position illustrated.

The motor 134 is controlled by the action of the armature 59 in thefollowing manner. The armature 59 includes contact plates 140 and 141.Arranged on corresponding sides of the contact plates 140 and 141 arecontacts 142 and 143. Arranged on the opposite sides of the contactstrips 140 and 141 are contacts 144 and 145. A conductor 146interconnects the contacts 142 and 145 while a conductor 147interconnects the contacts 144 and 143. A conductor 148 extends betweenthe conductor 146 and one terminal of the armature 149 of the motor 134.A conductor 150 eX- tends between the armature 149 and the conductor147. A conductor 151 extends between one end of the winding of the fieldcoil 152 of the motor 134 and the conductor 117. The conductor 153 iselectrically connected to the contact plate 140 and to the other end ofthe field coil 152. A conductor 154 electrically interconnects thecontact plate 141 and the conductor 116. Limit switches 155 and 156 areprovided in the circuit at substantially the point illustrated in Fig.10. In Figs. 8 and 9 it is shown that these limit switches are disposedadjacent the rod 132 and pins 157 and 158 extend outwardly from the rod132 so as to respectivelyengage the operating levers 159 and 160 of theswitches 155 and 156.

As is best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3 the elevator 23 is mounted on ashaft 161 which extends transversely thereacross at substantiallythecenter thereof in order that the elevator 23 may be tilted relative tothe remaining portions of the craft. Cables 162 and 163 are connected tothe elevator 23 on opposite sides of the shaft 161 and these cables 162and 163 are connected to opposite ends of the rod 132 and the cables aredirected around suitably located sheaves so as to eX- tend between thesetwo points.

Vhen the craft tilts in a direction such that the ball 43 moves intoengagement with the Contact plate 46 a circuit is closed to the windingof the electro-magnet 54 which causes the energizing thereof whichcauses the electro-magnet 54 to attract the armature 59. This moves thecontact plates 140 and 141 into engagement with the contacts 142 and 143and a circuit is closed to the motor 134 in the following manner. Thecurrent flows from the conductor 117, through the conductor 151, iieldcoil 152, conductor 153, contact plate 140, contact 142, conductor 146,conductor 148, armature 149, conductor 150, conductor 147, contact 143,contact plate 141, conductor 154, to conductor 116 which causes themotor 134 to operate in one direction. This movement of the motor istransmitted through the shaft 135, pinion 136 to the rack 133. Movementimparted to the rack 133 causes the rod 132 to be moved downwardly andthis movement is transmitted through the cable 163, to tilt the elevator23 so that the forward end thereof will be depressed, which will,therefore, reduce the effective surface thereof and, therefore, the rearend of the device will move downwardly so as to reposition the body 10in a horizontal plane.

vWhen the ball 43 moves into engagement with the plate 44 a circuit isclosed to the winding of the electro-magnet 55 which causes theattraction of the armature 59. This moves the Contact plates 140 and 141into engagement with the contacts 144 and 145. Therefore, a circuit willbe closed to the motor 134 in the following manner. Current will flowfrom the conductor 117, through the conductor 151, eld coil 152,conductor 153, contact plate 140, contact 144, conductor 147 conductor150, armature 149, conductor 148, conductor 146, Contact 145, contactplate 141, through conductor 154, to conductor 116. It is apparent thatin this latter instance the rod 152 will be moved upon operation of themotor 134 in a direction such that the movement thereof will betransmitted through the cable 162 to tilt the elevator 23 in a directionopposite to that heretofore set forth. It is, therefore, apparent thatthis arrangement will automatically maintain the body 10 longitudinallylevel.

I have set forth the means employed for automatically leveling my devicebut it is readily apparent that it would be advantageous to have thesemechanisms arranged so that they may be manually operated. By referringto Figs. 3, 7 and 13 it may be seen that I arrange on one side of thepilots seat 161a a manually operable lever 162D. This lever 162b issupported in the following man ner. Stationarily mounted bearings 163xand 164 are provided to which a segment 165 is hingedly secured as at166 and 167. The segment 165 has a strip 168 extending thereacross and abell crank lever arrangement comprising the arm 162 and an arm 169 ispivotally connected to this strip 168 as indicated at 170. By moving thelever 162 so that the segment 165 pivots about the hinges 166 and 167movement will be transmitted through the arm 169 to the link 170 whichextends into the sleeve 171 which has a ball socket 172 provided thereonin which a ball 173 at the lower end of the arm 86 is arranged.Therefore, this rocking movement imparted through the lever 162 and thelink 169 and the mechanisms connected thereto may be utilized to causethe arm 86 to be moved in the same manner as when the same is actu` atedby the motor 81 and the device may, therefore, be used to maintain theapparatus in a transversely level position. I have set forth that thewings 18 are arranged so that they may be tilted and this arrangement isutilized to cause the elevation of the craft when so desired. Aplurality of notches or ratchet teeth 174 are provided on the uppersurface of the segment 165. Guide bearings 175 and 176 are arranged onthe handle 162 and a rod 177 extends through these bearings and isact-ed on by a spring 178 to normally be forced downwardly in order toseat in one of the notches 174. A handle 179 is pivs otally connected tothe handle 162 as at 180 and by gripping this handle and moving the sameabout the pivotal support 180 the rod 177 may be moved upwardly. Afterthe rod 177 vhas been moved upwardly the arms 162 and 169 may be pivotedabout the support 170 therefor. At the lower ends of the arms 76 and 77are balls 181 and 182 which are seated in sockets 183 and 184 that arecarried by the arm 169. Therefore, when the arm 169 is pivoted as setforth the entire structure supported by the arms 76 and 77 is movedupwardly. A bell crank comprising arms 185 and 186 is pivotally mountedas at 187. A slot 188 is provided at the outer end of the arm 186through which a pin 189 on the arm 76 is extended. To the outer end ofthe arm 185 one of the links 37 is se` cured. The other of the links 37is secured to a similar arm of a similar bell crank that is similarlyattached to the rod 77. Therefore, when the arm 169 moves in a ver`tical plane the rods 76 and 77 are moved in vertical planes and also therods 96 and 97. This movement is, therefore, transmitted through thevarious bell cranks to the rods 35 and 37 which causes the wings 18 and19 and 2O to be simultaneously pivoted in the same direction in equalamounts and, therefore, the device may be used to cause elevation of thecraft.

A switch 190 is arranged on the arm 162 and an arm 191 thereof projectsinto a position such that it may be engaged by the collar 192 on the rod177 and this switch 190 is disposed in a position such that a circuit tothe motor 81 is interrupted when the rod 17 7 is elevated.

On the side of the seat 161 opposite the lever 162 is a lever 193. Thislever 193 which is illustrated in detail in Figs. 14 and 15 is pivotallymounted at 194 for longitudinal movement in a vertical plane. The lever193 is pivotally mounted as at 195 for pivotal movement in a transversevertical plane.

Suitable cables 196 and 197 are connected to the lever 193 and when thelever 193 is moved about the pivotal support 195 movement is transmittedthrough either the cable 196 or the cable 197 to the rudder 22 toposition this rudder for a purpose well understood in the art.

'When the lever 193 is pivoted about the support 194 movement thereof istransmitted through the cable 162 which is connected thereto in themanner indicated at 198 in Fig. 14 and obviously movement imparted tothe cable 1622L will also be imparted to the cable 163 and, therefore,the mechanisms operated by these cables may be manually operated.

On the lever 193 is a switch 199 which includes an operating handle 200.Pivotally mounted on the arm 193 is an operating handle 201 whichincludes an arm 202 that engages the switch operating handle 200 whenthe handle 201 is moved to compress the spring 203. This switch 199 isarranged in the circuit to the motor 134 so as to interrupt the circuitthereto when the device is being manually operated.

It is manifest from the foregoing description that I have provided aconstruction which may be arranged for either manual or automaticcontrol and I have arranged this device so that it will function tomaintain an aircraft or the like with which it is associatedsubstantially level.

Vifhile I have illustrated the device in connection with an aircraft itis to be understood that other mechanisms might be employed withoutdeparting from the purview of my invention.

It the device is used in connection with an aircraft as depicted asuitable power supplying member such as the internal combustion engine204i is arranged in the compartment 14 and on the shaft 205 thereof asuitable propeller structure 206 will be arranged.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred Jform ofconstruction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable ofvariation and modication, without departing from the spirit of theinvention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precisedetails of construction set torth, but desire to avail myself of suchvariations and modifications as come within the scope of the appendedclaims.

I-Iaving thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire toprotect by Letters Patent is:

l. In a device of the character stated, a main body, means forpivot-ally supporting wing members above said main body, means forpivotally supporting wing members at the sides of said main body, meansfor simuly taneously pivoting said wing members at an angle with respectto the horizontal, said last named means including portions forindependently pivoting the wing members at the sides of said main body,and other means for independently pivoting the wing members at the topof said body.

2. In a device of the character stated, a main body, means for pivotallysupporting wing members above said main body, means for pivotallysupporting wing members at the sides of said main body, means forsimultaneously pivoting said wing members at an angle with respect tothe horizontal, said last named means including portions forindependently pivoting the wing members at the sides of said main body,and other means for independently pivoting the wing members at the topof said body, said last named means including separable means operableto pivot certain of last named wing members in a direction opposite tothe direction in which other of said last named wing members arepivoted.

3. In a device of the character stated, a movable member, yieldablemeans for maintaining said movable member in a neutral position, rodmembers, means for supporting said rod members for parallel movement,means for connecting said rod members to said movable member, means formoving said movable member to move said rod members, said movable membermoving said rod members in opposite direction, operable means, means forinterconnecting said operable means and said rod members for moving saidoperable means in opposite directions when said rod members are moved,means for mov- LOUIS A. ERICKSON.

